A monkey was found chained by the neck to a tree in Joypurhat, struggling to free itself. Upon closer inspection, a wound was visible on its forehead. When offered a banana, the animal immediately began eating, revealing signs of hunger and distress. For about two weeks, a man named Abed Ali had kept the monkey chained at his home, intending to sell it for Tk 12,000.
Forest department officials intervened and rescued the stranded monkey on Monday. They freed it from captivity at Abed Ali’s residence, located near the Tulsiganga River embankment in the municipal area.
Two weeks earlier, the monkey had become separated from its group and was seen wandering on the roof of the Akkelpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) office. Staff members had been feeding it bananas and bread. For two to three days, the animal roamed around the upazila premises, trees, and nearby fields. Later, Abed Ali captured the monkey and attempted to sell it, demanding Tk 12,000.
Upon receiving information, Joypurhat Forest Range Officer Kamrul Hasan instructed the Upazila Forest Officer to take immediate action. Subsequently, forest officials located and released the monkey.
Speaking to Samakal, Abed Ali said he spent around Tk 100 daily to feed the animal and later decided to sell it for Tk 12,000. When questioned by reporters, he changed his statement, claiming, “I caught the monkey to keep it, not to sell it.” He added that the animal injured itself on a grill while trying to escape but admitted it was wrong to keep it chained.
Range Officer Kamrul Hasan confirmed that detaining wild animals is a punishable offense under wildlife protection laws. “The monkey has now been released and is completely safe,” he said.
